Ghazni women celebrate International Women’s Day

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Over 350 Afghan women attended a conference held in Ghazni City in celebration of International Women’s Day March 8. Shokreih Valli, the Ghazni Director of Women’s Affairs, organized the successful event that focused on women’s rights in Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Julie Brummund, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan– Marking the 100th year of celebrating International Women’s Day, countries around the world carried out events to honor women and to bring to light the fight many still face for their rights and equality. While there have been great strides in women’s rights in Afghanistan, many challenges remain. Due to repressive traditional practices and a general lack of implementation of laws designed to protect women, there is much more work to be done.

Events such as International Women’s Day are a significant step in a journey to assure peace, equality, and opportunity for the young girls and women of Afghanistan.

Despite security concerns, more than 350 Afghan women from Ghazni province gathered March 8th at the Ghazni Governor’s compound in Ghazni city to celebrate the day which was successfully organized by the Director of Women’s Affairs, Shokreih Valli.

Also attending the event were Ghazni Parliament Member Nafisa Azeme; female Ghazni Provincial Council members Ustad Rahimi, Azizi Misam, Hamida Gulistani, and Marzya Rahimi; U.S. Embassy Vivian Walker; several female NGO and civic leaders; several Ghazni line directors; and 15 U.S. and Polish females from the Ghazni Female Engagement Team.

The Ghazni FET includes members from the Texas Army National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team-IV.

The day was filled with several speakers who addressed the rights of women and the importance of respecting women.

Shokrieh Valli and Nafisa Azeme used the opportunity to educate the women of the province on their rights and to honor the hard working women who risk their lives to speak out against injustice.

Provincial Council Chairman, Naroz, said, “Women are half of our population. They are an integral part of our communities and their rights should be equal. They are not less than men and they are not getting what they deserve here in Afghanistan. In some traditional practices, women are treated like slaves. This is wrong. This is against Islam and is something men created in their own minds. When you put women down, you harm your own life.”

Vivian Walker, Border Coordinator for the Department of State at the Embassy Kabul, spoke to the women gathered at the conference. She said, “The ancient Chinese proverb says ‘women hold up half the sky’. The Prophet Mohammad said ‘Heaven is at your mother’s feet’. It is in these spaces in between where we must continue to work.”

Included in the day’s activities was the recitation of the Holy Quran, the singing of the Afghan National Anthem, and an entertaining skit performed by local students.

Several groups of young boys and girls from a singing chorus, called a Tarana, entertained the crowd by singing songs honoring women.

One group of young boys sang a song that praised mothers with the words, “Mother, you gave me life. I was a small drop and you made me the sea. You loved me before the time I was aware of myself. You lifted me up and you taught me about the world.”

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Debbie Davis, Texas Army National Guard ADT-IV Ghazni FET non commissioned officer in charge from Coppers Cove, Texas said, “The women here have made some positive step forward, however small they may be. Most encouraging was seeing the young girls on the stage, singing songs that spoke of strength and freedom.”

Several local women coordinated a craft sale where they showcased their various handicrafts. The Ghazni FET took the opportunity to purchase beautiful handcrafted embroidered and bead work items to send to loved ones at home.

Ghazni Governor Musa Khan hosted the event at his compound and catered a traditional Afghan lunch for all attendees.

Journalists from the local media provided media coverage, include radio, television, and written interviews from attendees.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt Laura G. Childs, Texas Army National Guard ADT-IV Ghazni FET leader, from Katy, Texas, said, “This is a significant event for the women of Afghanistan because it shows how far the rights of women have come. A decade ago, under the rule of the Taliban, it would have been unheard of for women to gather together and have a celebration that honored Afghan women. It’s true they have a long way to go, but days like today clearly demonstrate they made significant headway in their fight for fairness and equality.”

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - An Afghan woman peeks through her burka to witness the events of International Women's Day celebration in the Governor's compound in Ghazni City March 8. While most women were able to shed their burka's and relax, many felt more comfortable with them on. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Courtney Witt, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Task Force White Eagle)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Young girls from a local school in Ghazni City enjoy the day celebrating International Women’s Day at an event hosted in Ghazni City March 8. Over 350 Afghan women attended the event which highlighted women’s rights in Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Laura G. Childs, Ghazni Texas Agribusiness Development Team Task Force White Eagle)

~ by txadt on March 13, 2011.